Sidmouth still on the bottom despite picking-up first Premier win of season | Powell and Fourie take half-centuries off Plymouth

PLYMOUTH have to sharpen-up their act in the field if they are going to climb away from the Premier Division danger zone.

The city side went down by 16 runs to previously winless Sidmouth in the latest round of fixtures, a result that leaves them one place and three points clear of the second relegation place.

Bottom side Sidmouth still need to find 16 points to get out of the drop zone and will resume that quest against fourth-bottom Hatherleigh this Saturday.

Plymouth’s attempt to chase 284 to win, led by skipper Teddy Haffenden with 91, certainly could not be faulted. What the captain was unhappy about was having to chase that many in the first place.

“We were just off it in the field,” said Haffenden. “Four or five catches were dropped, which could’ve really changed the momentum of their innings. 

“Saiesh Reddy (2-24) was absolutely outstanding through the middle, and we pulled it back well from the start they had.

“But, as has happened a couple times already, we just drifted in the last 15 overs and let Sidmouth get 30-40 more than we wanted.”

Opener Dan Powell and Matt Fourie made half-centuries at opposite ends of the order for Sidmouth in their total of 283 for nine. Powell, who was third out on 111, made 53 from 47 balls, which included nine fours and a six.

Fourie went in at 174 for six and was involved in stands that added 101 across 11 overs while making 65. In between there were useful chip-ins from Charlie Gaywood (37), Luke Bess (48) and Mo Kaleem (26).

Jonty Rapulana (1-33), Reddy and Hal Kerton (1-27) were the only Plymouth bowlers to operate below four runs an over.

Plymouth’s reply was a consistent affair that included a half-century from Rapulana, 27 from Kerton and 34 scored by Dan Goodey, all of whom batted around Haffenden.

Five overs out the maths was 58 to win with five wickets in hand and Haffenden on 76 not out. Some lusty blows off Scott Barlow and Gaywood by the captain showed he was up for it

Whether by accident or design, Sidmouth kept Haffenden away from the bowling as much as possible in the as the overs counted down.

The last over arrived with 24 needed, which was on the steep side before Haffenden was dismissed first ball by Will Murray.

Murray claimed two more wickets in the last over for figures of three for 45 in Plymouth’s response of 267 for nine.

Said Haffenden: “We batted well as a unit again. Tice in two weeks we’ve made a real good go of chasing a big score but, unfortunately, not got over the line.”

Reflecting on Plymouth’s position in the table, Haffenden said: “The halfway point in the season offers a good chance to rally and go again – and that’s what we’ll look to do.”